The fashion world may appear to be all about aesthetics but Perth designer TJ Cowlishaw is on a mission to make a more meaningful contribution to the industry.

The Indigenous designer is using dead-stock denim, which could otherwise end up in landfill, and a combination of other sustainable products including a type of polyester made from recycled plastic bottles to create pieces that have won her national and international praise.

Sustainable and organic fabrics are used in AARLI designs. Photo: Craig Williams

While recent work on her label AARLI has seen her on the set of a photo shoot in California and collaborating with jewellery designers, it was Ms Cowlishaw's humble beginnings that got her interested in the fashion industry.

"As a young girl, because we didn't have much money growing up, I learned to appreciate vintage fashion and costume design," she said.

TJ Cowlishaw, the designer behind the label AARLI has had a passion for fashion since a young age.

AARLI was launched at the 2014 Australian Indigenous Fashion Week in Sydney as part of the 2014 Mercedes Benz Fashion Week and with her designs available online.

"I don't want AARLI to be just another fashion label entering into the fashion industry creating 'fast fashion' to be mass produced overseas which eventually turns into waste and goes into landfill," she said.

"My passion for sustainable and ethical fashion practices sparked a major change within my designs and took my designs to the next level.

"We need to remind ourselves we've only got one Earth, one shot.

"We as brands need to influence and create awareness amongst consumers to understand the difference between needs and wants.

"Buying fast fashion as a consumer, we all must understand that every action we take effect many people, communities and ecosystems."

Ms Cowlishaw said AARLI sources only sustainable materials for its designs from ethical resources such as dead-stock, offcuts, reject and recycled as well as organic fabrics.

One of the organic fabrics she uses is PET, or polytrimethylene terephthalate, a recycled polyester which is made from collecting used drink bottles or excess polyester fabric and cleaning, chopping, squashing and spinning them into a fibre.

It uses about half the energy, and creates about half the emissions, of normal virgin polyesters.

Another material used by Ms Cowlishaw is dead stock, which are garments produced by clothing manufacturers that never reach the shop floor.

"The product is at the end of the line, has been through retail store, warehouse and now kept in storage at the warehouse, if unused will be shredded and sent to landfill," Ms Cowlishaw said.

"Up-cycling dead stock gives the items a chance to be loved again, extend the life span of product and save landfill.

For those wondering about the label's name, AARLI is the Bardi name for fish or barramundi.

Ms Cowlishaw said her culture is an important influencer in her work, not only by her use of Indigenous symbols but also with the way she works.

"AARLI's mission is to influence society's perception of Indigenous people, provide developmental opportunities for creative Indigenous professionals and become the pioneer of Indigenous fashion," she said.

"AARLI is symbolic of my water connection to Mother Earth, to the Dreaming. Therefore every collection is centred around my Indigenous roots and combining my urban modern-world upbringing."

​Ms Cowlishaw is currently working with a training facilitator centre in Broome to establish fashion programs within remote WA communities.

While the label may have only been around for a couple of years Ms Cowlishaw has already achieved a lot with it.

In 2014 she was named Miss NAIDOC, her pieces have been featured in books and magazines and at the end of 2015 she took part on the British Council's 2015 ACCELERATE program.

Ms Cowlishaw is currently working on her label's Spring/Summer collection for 2016/2017 season.